What is Trauma-Informed Practice

Experiencing trauma and its impact is often intensified for members of underserved communities. Since children and adolescents spend a significant amount of time at school, it is imperative that they feel safe and comfortable in order to learn. School counselors have an ethical obligation to implement trauma-informed practices to meet the diverse needs of all students and establish an educational environment in which they can thrive and reach their full potential. The purpose of this chapter is to outline how professional school counselors can successfully implement trauma-informed practices to establish trauma-sensitive school environments. Within this chapter, the authors will provide an overview of trauma, discuss how it impacts students and manifests within the school environment, explore the school counselor's role in implementing trauma-informed practices, and utilize realistic case studies to demonstrate how school counselors can apply this knowledge when working with students in real life situations.